Electric cut-out



(No Model.)

A. T. TREGURTHA.

' ELECTRIC GUT-OUT.

N0.449,921. PatentedApr. 7,1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFlCE.

ALFRED T. TREGURTHA, OF EVERETT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HENRY A. CLARK, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 449,921, dated April 7, 1891;

Application filed April 17, 1890.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALFRED T. TREGURTHA, of Everett, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Cut-Outs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention consists of the construction and arrangement of parts in an electric cirro cuit to an electric light or other electric device connected to a main electric circuit for the more convenient and better securing of the parts together, for the support and electric connection of the parts, all substantially as hereinafter fully described, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective View of the present device in connection with an incandescent lamp and as connected to wires of a main electric circuit, the parts being supported from the ceiling of a room. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the parts separated. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail cross-section on line 4 4, Fig.

3. Fig. 5 is a detail cross-section on line 5 5, Fig. 1.

In the drawings, A represents a circular base of wood or other suitable material, adapted to be secured to the ceiling or any suitable support in any desirable manner, having arim or flange B, with a shoulder or recess 0, forming a central depression or chamber D.

E Faretwo m etal blocksinserted and secured 3 5 inarecess or groove in the flange Bby screws g, flush with the rim and diametrically opposite to each other, and each having an open slot or groove Gin its outer end, in which is placed an electric wire H in the main circuit, which '40 wire rests in a groove to in the part b of the block, a screw cl screwing through its other part e, arranged to bear against and hold the electric wire in its block-groove a, by which each electric wire is secured to its respective 4 5 contact-block E or F and the wires to the base, the base being cut away, as shown at f, at each side of the contact-block to allow of the insertion of the electric wire in place. Each block on its outer side has an arm h, projecting to- Serial No. 348.338- (No model.)

over the chamber D, and the inner or under side m of such arm is inclined or beveled outwardly, as shown.

.J K are metal strips or plates secured to the bottom of the chamber each by screws n r, and each having a raised right-angular projecting arm L, the two projecting in opposite directions, their under or inner faces 25 being inclined outwardly.

M is a circular block of wood or other suitable material of a diameter to fit within the recess D of the base and having secured to its inner face four metal plates or strips N P Q R, each by screws u, and each having its outer or free end y bent slightly upward and inclined, the platesbeing secured in such position on the face of the coverin relation to each other and the contact-blocks E F and arms L L of the plates J K on the base that when the cover is placed in the recess D of the base its face inward the plate N, between the arm L of plate J and contact-block E, and the plate R, between arm L of plate K and contact-block F, and then turned to the right the ends got the cover-plates N P will pass, respectively, under the contact-block E and arm L of plate J, and the cover-plates R Q will pass, respectively, under the contactblock F and arm L of plate K, the spring of the metal plates holding the cover in place on the base, and which also maintains the electric circuit with the main wires.

Attached to the screw 4* of the plate J is an insulated electric wire S, and to the screw 4" of the other plate K is another insulated electric wire T, which wires are twisted together and passed through a central opening or passage w in the cover, and their other ends are connected to the incandescent lamp U in the usual and well-known manner, these wires 0 S T serving as electric conductors from the plates on the base to the lamp, and also as a means of suspending or supporting the lamp from the base and entirely independent and free of the cover. .The strips or plates on 5 the cover are connected together by a fusible wire 12, as shown. 1

WVhen all parts are together and the electric current is turned on, it passes from the elec- 50 ward the center of the base a short distance tric wire H to contact-block E, to the plate N,

through its fusible wire a: to plate P, to angular arm L of plate J, to insulated wire S, to the lamp, and returns through the insulated wire T, angular arm L of plate K to plate Q, through its fusible wire to plate R, contactblock F to the other electric wire H, or vice versa, as the case may be, according as the electric current flows one way or the other.

To remove the cover, turn it to the left or in the reverse direction from that by which it was secured in place, which disengages the several plates on the cover from the contactblocks and arms on the base, when it can be moved from the base along the lamp-wires, as

ity of injuring or breaking the lamp and its connecting-wires, an advantage which is very desirable.

The base and cover can be made of any suitable material that is a good non-conductor of electricity. Although being made of wood, they can be made cheaply and quickly. If made of an electric conducting material, the various connecting parts should be properly insulated.

I do not claim in this application the means by which the electric lamp is suspended and supported from the base, as such is the sub ject of another application of mine filed February 25, 1889, Serial No. 301,102, and allowed October 22, 1889; but

WVhat I do claim is- V 1. The combination,with a base A, having a flange orrim B, a chamber D, a transverse recess or groove in said flange or rim, and a cap or cover M, provided with an electric contact plate or arm, of an electric contact-block E, fitting in said recess or groove, adapted to receive and hold an electric wire at its outer end, its inner end h projecting over the chamber and adapted to engage with said plate or arm to make electric contact therewith and secure and hold the cap or cover on the base.

2. The combination, with a base A, having a flange or rim B, a chamber D, a transverse recess or groove in said flange or rim, and a cap or cover M, provided with an electric contact plate or arm, of an electric contact-block E, fitting in said recess or groove, having arms Z) e on its outer end, one arm provided with a screw d to secure an electric wire H in place between said arms, its inner end 77, projecting over the chamber and adapted to engage with said plate or arm to make electric contact therewith and secure and hold the cap or cover on the base.

3. The combination, with a base A, having a flange or rim B, a chamber D, a transverse recess or groove in said flange or rim, and a cap or cover M, provided with an electric contact plate or arm, of an electric contact-block E, fitting in said recess or groove, having arms I) c on its outer end, one ofwhich arms hasa transverse groove to to receive an electric wire H, and the other arm having a screw 01 to hold and secure the electric wire in said groove, its inner end h projecting over the chamber'and adapted to engage with said plate or arm to make electric contact therewith and secure and hold the cap or cover on the base.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALFRED T. TREGURTHA.

WVitnesses:

EDWIN W. BROWN, CARRIE E. NIoHoLs. 

